Half to grant greenham



w No. 623,033.

Patented Apr. :1, I899.

a. RAUNACHER.

LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR.

(Application filed Jun. 20, 1599.)

(N0 Nodal.)

//v mum? Amm/E vs S PETERS c5" s-Horoumo yvAsmaomN n r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV RAUNACHER, OF VIENNA, .AU STRlA-HUN GARY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO GRANT GREENHAM, OF TRIEST, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

LIGHTNING-CONDUCTOR.

SPECIZFiOATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,033, dated. April 1 1, 1899. Application filed January 20,1899. Serial No. 702,839. (No model.)

To whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsrAv RAUNACHER, major, of Vienna, Austria-I-Iungary, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in LightningConductors, of which the following is a description.

v hen buildings are damaged by lightning in spite of 1ightning-conductors, this is generally caused by the bad condition of the lat- I0 ter or by reason of the low collecting capacity '20 ning directly to the parts underneath.

and the insufficient insulation of the rod.

The lightning-conductor shown in Figures 1 and 2, partiallyin section and in elevation, consists of the head a and the rod made in two parts I) c. I

The head a consists of a rod bent several timesfor instance, in the shape of a dragon provided with numerous teeth or points omitted at the spots d for not conducting thelight- All these points possess a very great emanating capacity, diminishing to a great extent the danger of the striking. On the other hand, the points possess a great absorbing capacity if the neutralization of a cloud should not be possible and the lightning strikes. A damaging of the lightning-conductors head, renderin git unserviceable,cannot happen in consequence of the great number of points.

The head is provided with several points (sucking-points) c atits upper end, and, moreover, with one or more vaulted surfaces f, being advantageously ovoid or ball-shaped, the points surrounding the latter. The points having the purpose to emanate the electricity bound by the cloud will perform this action with the possibly greatest success on account of their great number. The vaulted surfaces will much help the points in their function 40 by their great surface when they absorb or attract lightning striking the neighborhood.

The vaulted surfaces form, so to say, the condenser for bound electricity and may themselves be provided with small points.

The points, as well as the vaulted surfaces, are preferably made of cast-iron, being coppored and subsequently silver-plated to increase their conductivity. The whole head is painted with a suitable mass, well conduoting electricity, having a high melting-point and undergoing no change.

The electricity accumulated in great quantities on the vaulted surfaces thus much increases the absorbing power of the lightningconductor according to the simple law that the attraction of electricities increases with their quantity.

Discharge-plates g and h are inserted between the head and the rod, separated from one another by insulating material to weaken the vehemence of the lightning striking the conductor. As an insulating-piece, a sleeve of asbestos or stabilite t, with flange 'i, is best employed, determining the distance of the two plates at the same time. These plates are provided with many points to distribute the electric spark on a greatersurface and to weaken its vehemence. If an electric connection is desired between the head and the rod, a screw-shaped spring may be inserted into the cavity n.

The rod is copper-plated 011 its surface to increase its conductivity,and consists of two parts I) and c, insulated from one another best by an asbestos or stabilite ring 76. The lower part c is fixed on the ridge of the roof in the well-known manner. From the top part I) a double earth-lead Z 1 branches off, being wound several times around the rod and around arms m, fixed on the same and soldered with the rod, whereby a well conducting connection is attained.

By the insulation of the two parts of the rod from one another thedanger of the lightning jumping over on the building to be protected is much lessened.

The lower plate h has a threaded shank h, which is connected to the upper end ofthe part b by a sleeve 71 clamped in place by a thumb-screw r. I

The present lightning-conductor thus answers every desired demand. v

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention, I declare that What I claim is 1. In a lightning-arrester, a head having a 4. In combination, the head, the discharge plates and the asbestos or stabilite sleeve interposed between said plates, said sleeve having a lateral flange,substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAV RAUNACIIER.

central rounded surface and a plurality of points surrounding the same, substantially as described.

2. In a lightning-arrester, the combination 15 with the head, of discharge-plates connected therewith and insulated from each other, substantially as described.

3. In a lightning-arrester, a head, a rod supporting the same, an insulated connection 1 between said parts, and an earth connection from the rod, substantially as described. I

Witnesses:

VINCENT BURES, ANTONIO GHERZO. 

